Helena considers sales tax increase to fund high school

It may cost more to shop in Helena. The city is considering increasing their sales tax by one penny for every dollar spent. The money will help buy land and add athletic facilities to a Helena High School. Currently all of Helena's students go to Pelham High School, which is continuing to grow. Some parents like the idea of a new high school.

"I feel like we definitely need a high school in Helena and I hope by the time Trey has to go to high school, he's going to Helena." Haley Vuittonat said in reference to her four-year-old son.

Anthony Regina owns the Fieldhouse, an athletic apparel business in downtown Helena. He is a father of two who is also worried about school overcrowding but says he was surprised by the talk of a new sales tax.

"I was a little bit leery. We just got the mill tax through, now here we come again with more money," Regina said.

Some business owners are worried about driving away customers to other nearby cities.

"My concern is it will further push people to shop elsewhere.The biggest push in Helena is 'buy here'. Live here, buy here," Regina said.

The city council will give the proposed sales tax its first reading Monday night. The council could vote on the matter later this month.

Rain and thunder will track into northwest Alabama during the early morning hours Thursday with most of the rain breaking up through the day. We'll see partly sunny skies with rain chances around 20-percent throughout much of Thursday. Highs again will reach the lower 80s.

Rain and thunder will track into northwest Alabama during the early morning hours Thursday with most of the rain breaking up through the day. We'll see partly sunny skies with rain chances around 20-percent throughout much of Thursday. Highs again will reach the lower 80s.

Fairfield mayor Ed May II and Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority (BJCTA) have discussed negotiations for the past several months after the bus service was canceled a little more than two years ago.

Fairfield mayor Ed May II and Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority (BJCTA) have discussed negotiations for the past several months after the bus service was canceled a little more than two years ago.